Movie recommendation: No Country for Old Men

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Note: The movie that inspired me to read the book (from which it was adapted). Need I say more?

IMDB entry: No Country for Old Men

Genre: Crime, Thriller

If you enjoy symbolisms in movies, this one will be definitely liked. This movie at first viewing might also seem to be borderline meaningless. Until you get the symbolism of it all. That I got it only in the second viewing, is something that I will admit to frankly. Plus a second viewing is a must, to have a greater appreciation of this movie. It grows on you, like vintage wine or cheese.

Don't worry about the title, not yet. When the end credits roll you will totally get it. The movie follows a drug deal gone wrong in a remote Texas county. Moss (Josh Brolin), a smalltime plumber, stumbles onto the scene and walks away with the booty. However, there is a pyschopathic killer Chigurh (Javier Bardem) who is on the trail and will stop at nothing to get his money. There is also an old sheriff (Tommy Lee Jones) in the mix, who investigates the murders and is struggling to understand the gravity and deadly repercussions of the crime.

Sounds ordinary? It won't if you see it. On the outside it seems like the classic cat chasing mouse thriller but inside it questions the intentions of crimes we read about in the news, everyday. Crimes that have no motive. Crimes that are so maniacal, it is gut wrenching. And such a story, as seen through the eyes of the sheriff, tells it all. That we live in a world full of violence, that is unexplainable and unfathomable. And this is what the sheriff struggles with - to understand the psyche of Chigurh. 

The sight of Chigurh is menacing and sends chills down the viewers. And Javier Bardem just epitomizes evil in this character - a kind of lunacy that is hard to imagine or comprehend. This conversation from the movie substantiates Chigurh's description:

Man who hires Wells: [about Chigurh] Just how dangerous is he? 

Carson Wells: Compared to what? The bubonic plague? 

There were scenes where my hair stood up; seeing him walk with the cattle gun (he carries a shotgun cylinder that is used in slaughterhouses to kill cattle). My heart pounding when the sheriff goes back to the scene of crime in the motel and Chigurh is inches away from him. And that with no background score, an ominous silence (except for the creak of the footsteps and the sound of breath) made it as intense as it could get. For that and the unconventional storytelling, I have to give credit to the genius that is Coen brothers (The Big Lebowski, True Grit fame)

The problem with this movie is - either you like it or don't get it. Some things I appreciated on my second viewing is the way the Chigurh's character is given no justification - he is simply monster of a man - no explanations for his behavior. That good doesn't necessarily triumph over evil, all the time. That sometimes the unexpected of things can happen and you wouldn't see it coming (similar to the climax of this movie that jolts you for a moment and also leaves you confused). This movie is as good as it can get for a modern Western tale. But watch it closely to get its intricacies.

Movie Recommendation: The Stoneman Murders

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Note: Because Talaash disappoints this week, I am going to recommend a lesser known Bollywood alternative to give you the chills. This one gives you the goosebumps and keeps you on the edge.

IMDB entry: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1183946/

Genre: Crime, Thriller, Suspense

This movie is based on the true life incident of serial killings in Bombay in the early 80's. Interestingly, this was never solved according to police records. The movie director gives his own spin (and conclusion) to this whodunit.

The movie dwells right into the crime in the initial 10 minutes. A pavement dweller is brutally killed (his head smashed by a stone) one night in the Matunga area of Mumbai. A local policeman who has been recently suspended sniffs a serial killing spree but the other policemen wave if off as a random killing on the streets. As suspected, there are numerous killings that follow and establish a pattern - the killings happen between hours of late night and dawn only and is targeted at the pavement dwellers. The suspended policeman thus continues to investigate about the murder, off duty. He sets out to gather evidence and prowls the streets in the night to prevent the killer from harming any more people. But he soon becomes a suspect after police find circumstantial evidence incriminating him. Who is the serial killer and why is he targeting only the pavement dwellers? What is the motive behind the killings? The movie solves these as it approaches the climax.

This movie is bone chilling. The pace is quick and keeps you on the edge. Except for the stray song in a bar, there are no such distracting interruptions in the movie. The underbelly of Mumbai - street dwellers, tramps, bar dancers and the flourishing businesses in the dark add to the mood - most of the movie is dark. There are several times where policeman and the killer run into each other. This makes the movie very racy. The conclusion is believable (backed up by a possible and practical reason for such brutal killings). However, it is not something new - this kind of a conclusion has been seen before in other movies and is rather the only weak point in an otherwise gripping thriller.

What can I say about Kay Kay Menon? As the suspended policeman who tries to solve the mystery, Kay Kay Menon shines and how! He has such formidable acting skills and is convincing as the trigger happy and reclusive cop. Contrastingly, Arbaaz Khan in a smaller role struggles. Rest of the cast does ok. The direction and editing is slick. This movie would have had more impact on a big screen, in fact. 

Overall, a good psychological thriller sure to be enjoyed by thriller movie fans. 

Movie Recommendation: Manorama Six Feet Under

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Note: I love mystery thrillers! Of late, very few movies in Bollywood are of this genre. The latest I have liked was Kahaani. So imagine my surprise when I bump into one of those lesser known, offbeat thrillers in Bollywood. What a treat!

IMDB Entry: Manorama Six Feet Under

Genre: Mystery, Suspense, Thriller

Firstly, I would like to say, if you are expecting too much action, big star cast and some Bollywood style melodrama and production values, you might as well stay clear of this movie. Although I do consider Abhay Deol as not only a big star but a seal of approval for offbeat movies (going by his track record of Dev D, Oye Lucky Lucky Oye, Ek Chaalis ki Last Local...). So if you are willing to consider an offbeat, suspense movie in a rustic setting, look no more. This is one of those niche movies.

The movie takes place in a sleepy town of Lakhot, Rajasthan. Abhay Deol plays Satyaveer, a bored middle class resident who works at the local municipality as a Junior Engineer. His wife Nimmi (played by Gul Panag), plays a nagging housewife who loves her TV serials and taunts his husband for the middle class lifestyle. Satyaveer's passion is writing but unfortunately his first book "Manorama" (a detective novel) reminds him of his failure as a writer (the book sells only 200 copies). He is so disappointed by its failure, that he does not own even a single copy of his own book. One day, he is approached by a minister's wife, also called Manorama (played by Sarika) who is suspicious that her husband is having an extra marital affair. She pays him to investigate as a private detective and take pictures of his affair, so she can gather evidence about his adultery. 

What follows is an intriguing plot where Satyaveer gets implicated in a double homicide, suicide of Manorama and a missing girl child from a local orphanage. The rest of the plot is how he connects the dots and solves the mystery.

Abhay Deol, is definitely one of the most underrated actors in Indian film industry. He gives life to the character of Satyaveer - both as a passionate detective and as a disappointed writer and husband. The rural setting of the Rajasthan town works well for the story and gives an authentic feel. The movie is slow at times, but picks up pace in the second half. The movie has plenty of good old fashioned detective thrills to it and also at the same time keeps you guessing - very unpredictable storyline. The movie runs on the stellar performances from Abhay Deol, Gul Panag and the supporting cast. I was surprised to see Nawazuddin Siddiqui in an insignificant role as a local goon - but I guess he got more popular only after Kahaani and Gangs of Wasseypur. He is definitely an actor to watch out for.

This movie is not fast paced so it is not a stylish action thriller and nor is it a modern one at that. It is a simple story with the right amount of creepiness and mystery that will keep you hooked if you are ok with its slackish pace in the first half. But I also think that is one of the reasons that make a mystery movie worth a watch - the slow unfolding of characters and sub-stories that add to the plot make it intriguing and suspenseful. Plus, this movie is set in a small town and going by that it has to be slow and uneventful. As a middle class Indian, I could really connect with some social issues that stand out in the movie - the way your neighbors pry on your privacy, small town corruption, greed and the rich poor inequality.

The movie, it seems is inspired by Roman Polanski's Chinatown (I haven't seen that movie yet), but I really don't care because the storytelling has been adapted perfectly for an Indian setting. This movie is a must-watch for mystery buffs!